The Commons Social Change Library

Welcome to the Commons Social Change Library

Do you want to change the world for the better? You’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re new to advocacy or an experienced campaigner you’ll find helpful resources here. All materials are free, digital, and directly available.

The Commons Library includes 1000+ educational resources in a range of formats. Topics include campaign strategy, community organising, working effectively in groups, justice and diversity, creative activism, and much more.

Visit the Browse page for an overview of topics, formats and collections. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about the newest tools for social change. Learn about our Projects and read what our users have to say.

Browse Library Topics

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What would you like to do?

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Listen

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Watch

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Read

Recommended by the Commons Librarians

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New to Activism, Organising and Campaigning? Start Here!

A collection of resources by The Commons Social Change Library to help you learn all about activism, organising and campaigning.

Title reads 'Bluesky 101: How to guide for progressives'. Background image of blue sky with white clouds.

Bluesky 101: How-to Guide for Progressives

Introduction to Bluesky — its features, benefits, and how political movements can use it for outreach and organizing.

A drawing of three people of different races and genders with their arms around each other, looking towards the horizon. Below them there is a large rally with placards and banners.

10 Ways to be Prepared and Grounded now Trump has Won

The key to taking effective action in a Trump world is to avoid perpetuating the autocrat’s goals of fear, isolation, exhaustion and disorientation.

Title reads 'Templates, Worksheets & Checklists for Changemakers'. An illustration of a pencil and a worksheet with tick boxes. Text reads 'Worksheet'.

Templates, Worksheets & Checklists for Changemakers

A collection of templates, worksheets and checklists for changemakers on campaign strategy & planning, tactics, organising, narrative, etc.

Commons Conversations Podcast: Insights into Activism

Commons Conversations Podcast - Interviews with campaigners about insights into activism, learning in movements, radical history and more.

Title reads 'Protests Start Here'. The title is on a sign being held up by a hand. Background image in blue filter of a large group of people holding a protest on steps of a building in a street. There are highrises and trees in the background.

Protests: Start Here

A collection of resources to explore protests - why protest, do protests work, how to stay safe, how to organise a protest, etc.

Text reads 'Finding Joy in Activism, Resistance and Movements: 12 Podcasts to Inspire'. on two opposite corners are party poppers blowing out confetti.

Finding Joy in Resistance: 12 Inspiring Podcasts

In these hard times find your joy! Here is a collection of podcasts to listen to about finding joy in activism, resistance, and movements.

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What's New in the Commons Library

See what's new in the Commons Social Change Library - making activism smarter and stronger.

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Where can people carry out effective protests and

Where can people carry out effective protests and other actions to resist authoritarianism?https://commonslibrary.org/where-to-fight-back-lessons-from-us-anti-coup-actions/The article linked to above provides examples from recent protests in the US to demonstrate how strategic selection of protest locations can intensify impact in terms of ensuring visibility, challenging opponents, and disrupting narratives. It draws on insights from Re:Imagining Change: How to Use Story-Based Strategy to Win Campaigns, Build Movements, and Change the World, a book by Patrick Reinsborough and Doyle Canning.Photo by Geoff Livingston. It was taken at the 2025 Stand up for Science Protests, which saw tens of thousands across the United States protest the defunding and removal of science programs throughout the U.S. government. https://www.flickr.com/photos/geoliv/

𝗧𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆!Check out the new narrative toolkit on The Commons Social Change Library.The Narrative Change Hub is a co-created international resource to support those using storytelling and narrative strategies to drive progressive change.In this collection you’ll find articles, guides, strategies, research and ways to measure impact.The Narrative Change Hub is supported by IRIS, International Resource for Impact and Storytelling.

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrated annually on March 8 celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. It was first marked in Australia in 1928 with a rally in the Sydney Domain. Organised by the Militant Women’s Group (MWG), demands included equal pay, an eight-hour day for retail workers, an end to piece work and other workplace rights for women.As seen in this photo, the following year Jean Thompson of the MWG spoke in support of the wives of striking timber workers during a protest held in Belmore Park, Sydney. This was followed with another IWD rally in the Domain and an evening dance.To learn more about the history of IWD, as well as how people are celebrating it today, visit- https://commonslibrary.org/beyond-the-international-womens-day-lunch-resources-for-womens-activism-cis-tem-change/

The Sydney Opera House has long been a site of pro

The Sydney Opera House has long been a site of protest. After the icon’s Danish designer Jorn Utzon was forced out of the project through cost cutting and bureaucratic interference, 1000 people rallied on 3 March 1966. Led by architect Harry Seidler, author Patrick White, and Director of the Art Gallery of NSW's Hall Missingham, the protest marched from the Opera House building site to NSW Parliament House. Some held signs reading "Griffin, now Utzon", referring to Walter Burley Griffin, the designer of Canberra, and the way he had been undermined and forced out of its construction.Architects, builders labourers, students and others presented a petition signed by 3000 people demanding that Utzon be reinstated. One architect argued, "No one can replace Mr Utzon, the perfectionist with fantastic integrity... No consortium, no committee, has ever – or ever will – create a work of art." A day later Utzon told the media “The demonstration was marvellous… Above all, it shows there is a deep feeling in the community for the building.” Although Utzon ultimately left Australia, never to return, further action followed including 75 of 85 planners working on the project calling for his vision to be maintained.These photos appear courtesy of the Search Foundation and State Library of NSW. To learn more about the history of protests at the Opera House and elsewhere visit- https://commonslibrary.org/from-little-things-big-things-grow-events-that-changed-australia/

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